Hs and 8s and Friendship

The first job I ever got was as a lifeguard at the Lake Heritage Swimming Pool. My (Speedo) tan that summer was so solid. And d'you know what else was great about that summer? My friendship with Heather.

Heather came into my life when I was little more than a kid. We guarded together and shared a bunch of absurd memories that are all sunscreen- and chlorine-scented. The memories range from "always want[ing] a peeing dog" to attending sleepovers in which all the food items had to end with O to recording hilarious quotes and recording them on the ceiling. If you know, you know; if you don't, your loss.

As only life itself would have it, Heather and I are still working together. She teaches art in the very same school that I teach English. And on top of that, we are dear friends! We have what we like to refer to has an "Hs and 8s bond." Both of us have two Hs in our first names; both of us were born on the eighth of the month. My birthday is April 8; Heather's is December 8.

The beauty of my friendship with Heather is this: together, we are unstoppable. Have we had our ups and downs? Sure. Are we as close now as we were as teens? No... because we're closer. She is an amazing human and I'd be hard pressed to find a negative word to say about her. Heather is pure love and joy and kindness. And something else? She's a PHENOMENAL artist.

I have the privilege of being a part of an upcoming art show that will hang at the Garryowen Irish Pub in Gettysburg. Half of the art is mine; the other half is Heather's. We have made some really wacky and beautiful stuff, and if you'd like to see it, we would like to encourage you to visit the Garryowen next Wednesday, May 8, between 5:00 and 9:00PM. It's going to be a very fun night and we are both insanely eager to share our creations with you.